Adjustable tilt mount

ABSTRACT

A mounting system for an interface such as a flat panel display such as a computer monitor or television allows the display to be pivoted about a virtual pivot axis which passes through a center of gravity of the display. The system includes a support which is connected directly or indirectly to a support surface and a mount which is connected to a back side of the display. The support and the mount are slidable with respect to one another through an arc which has the virtual pivot axis as its center.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.60/438,889, filed Jan. 9, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to mounts for interface devices such ascomputer monitors and televisions. In particular, the present inventionrelates to a mount which allows the interface to be tilted about agenerally horizontal pivot axis.

The development of flat panel computer monitors and flat screentelevisions offers the opportunity to replace large computer monitorsand large television sets with displays having the same screen area butonly a small fraction of the depth and weight. This allows computermonitors to be placed on desks without consuming a large portion of thedesk top space. Similarly, flat screen televisions can be placed inlocations which were previously not practical locations.

The light weight and thin profile of the flat panel monitors andtelevisions allows them to be supported on a relatively small base, behung on a wall, or to be supported by a support system which isconnected to a mounting surface such as a wall, a post, or a top,bottom, or side surface of a desk or cabinet. The ability to adjust theorientation of the flat panel display with respect to the viewer is adesirable feature. There is a need for mounting systems which will allowadjustment of the position and the orientation of the display. Thesupport systems should be simple and easy to use, and should be stableso that the display remains in the position and orientation selected.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mounting system for an interface device such as a flat panel display(such as a computer monitor or television) allows the display to betilted about a horizontal pivot axis which passes through a center ofgravity of the display. The system includes a support and a mount whichare connected together so that they can slide with respect to oneanother through an arc path which has the pivot axis at its center. Themount is attached to the back side of the display, while the support isconnected directly or indirectly to a support surface.

The display can be tilted about the pivot axis, which is parallel to thefront surface of the display, through a range of angles defined by thearc. Because the pivot axis passes through the center of gravity of thedisplay, the weight of the display is balanced in any one of the angularpositions. No clamping or other adjustment is required to hold thedisplay in any one of its tilted positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A–1C are side views showing a first embodiment of the mountingsystem of the present invention with a flat panel display tilted atthree different positions.

FIGS. 1D–1F are perspective views showing the display tilted at threedifferent positions.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show front and side views of the mounting system ofFIGS. 1A–1F.

FIGS. 2C–2F show perspective views of the mounting system.

FIGS. 3A–3C show front, right side, and top views of the mountingbracket of the system of FIG. 2A–2B.

FIGS. 4A–4C show front, right side, and top views, respectively, of thewall or support bracket of the system of FIGS. 2A–2B.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show side and front views, respectively, the glide ofthe system of FIGS. 2A–2B.

FIGS. 6A–6G show views of a second embodiment of the mounting system ofthe present invention with a flat panel display tilted in threedifferent positions.

FIG. 7A–7F show views of the second embodiment of the mounting system ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 8A–8C are side, top, and back views, respectively, of an arch ofthe mounting system of FIGS. 7A–7F.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are rear and side view of a mount plate of the system ofFIGS. 7A–7F

FIGS. 10A–10C are front, side and top views of a yoke of the system ofFIGS. 7A–7F.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are top and end views of a dowel of the system ofFIGS. 7A–7F.

FIGS. 12A and 12B are top and end views of a wheel of the system ofFIGS. 7A–7F.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are perspective views of a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a mount and a support bracket of thethird embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 15 is a broken, exploded view of the mount and support bracket ofthe third embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 16A–16C are perspective, front, and bottom views of a fourthembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A–1F show a first embodiment of mounting system 10 of the presentinvention. In FIGS. 1A–1F, mounting system 10 supports display 12, whichis a flat panel computer monitor or television at three differentpositions with respect to vertical.

Mounting system 10 has three major parts, mount bracket 14, support orwall bracket 16, and a pair of glides 18. Mount bracket 14 is attachedto a back surface of monitor 12, while support 16 is connected eitherdirectly or indirectly to a support surface such as post P (or a wall).

Mount bracket 14 has a pair of arcuate slots 20 which define the rangeof sliding motion of mount bracket 14 with respect to support bracket16. Glides 18 are carried by support bracket 16 and project into slots20. Glides 18 ride within slots 20 to allow a sliding movement of mount14 with respect to support 16. The path of the sliding movement isdefined by the arc of slots 20. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A–1F,the extent of angular rotation permitted by sliding movement isapproximately 50°.

The arc defined by slots 20 is a portion of a circle having its centerdefining a horizontal pivot axis 22. As shown in FIGS. 1A–1F, pivot axis22 is a virtual pivot axis that passes approximately through a center ofgravity of display 12. As a result, the weight of display 12 remainsbalanced about pivot axis 22, regardless of the tilt angle. There issufficient friction between glides 18 and slots 20 so that display 12will remain at whatever tilt angle the user selects.

The present invention provides a very simple and inexpensive mountingsystem which allows tilting of display 12 over a wide range of tiltangles. Although the embodiment shown limits the range of tilt angles toapproximately 50°, the range could be either larger or smaller dependingupon the length of the arc defined by slots 20.

As shown in FIGS. 2A–2F, mount 14 includes face 30, right side wall 32R,left side wall 32L and mounting ears 34R, 34L, 36R and 36L. Each of themounting ears 34L, 34R, 36L, and 36R include an outer mounting hole 38and an inner mounting hole 40. Arc slots 20 are located in left andright side walls 32R and 32L, and are aligned with one another. Thecurvature of slots 20 define a portion of the circle having a center atpivot axis 22 shown in FIG. 2B.

Support 16 is a generally U-shaped bracket formed base 50, right sidewall 52R, and left side wall 52L. Mounting slots 54 and 56 are used toconnect support 16 to a wall, a post, or other support. As seen in FIGS.2A–2F, side walls 32R and 32L of mount 14 straddle walls 52L and 52R ofsupport 16. Glides 18 are captured between the side walls of mount 14and support 16. Each glide 18 includes outer projection 60, innerprojection 62, and central flange 64. Outer projections 60 projectoutward through arcuate slots 20. Inner projections 62 are similar inshape to outer projection 60, and extend through mating slots 70 (shownin FIG. 2D) through side walls 52L and 52R of support 16. The size ofthe arcuate slots 70 in side walls 52L and 52R generally matches theshape of inner projections 62. Flanges 64 are captured between opposingside walls 32L and 52L and 32R and 52R, respectively. As a result, glide18 is generally held in place with respect to support 16, while mount 14can slide back and forth along the path defined by arc slots 20 from anupper-most position defined when the upper end of slot 20 engages theupper end of outward projection 60 and a lower-most position in whichthe lower end of projection 60 engages the lower end of slot 20. Thesetwo extreme positions are illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D and 1F.

FIGS. 3A–3C show mount bracket 14 in further detail, and FIGS. 4A–4Cshow support bracket 16 in further detail. Dimensions of a preferredembodiment are shown in the Figures. For both support 16 and mount 14, apreferred material is 0.075 cold rolled steel (CRS 14 GA). Mount andsupport brackets 14 and 16 preferably have a powder coat final finish.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show one of the glides 18. The preferred material forslides 18 is Delrin plastic.

As shown in FIGS. 3A–3C, 4A–4C and 5A–5B, the preferred radius of thecenter line of slots 20 and mount 14, slots 70 in support 16, and glides18 define a radius of curvature of 2.344 inch. This results in alocation of pivot axis 22 about one inch forward of the front surfacesof base 30 and mounting ears 34L, 34R, 36L and 36R of mount 14. Thislocation of pivot axis 22, with mount 14 attached generally in thecenter back of display 12, results in pivot axis 22 passing through orvery nearly through the center of gravity of display 12. As a result,display 12 is weight-balanced in the various tilt positions. Asconfiguration and weight distribution of flat screen panels changes,dimensions of the arc path may be changed to maintain weight balance.

FIGS. 6A–6G show a second embodiment of the present invention. Mountingsystem 100 supports display 102 in a wide variety of different positionsand or orientations, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A–6G. Mounting system 100includes mount assembly 104, support assembly 106, side knuckle 108, dogbone support arms 110 and 112, side knuckle 114, and wall plate 116.

As shown in FIGS. 6A–6G, mounting system 100 is supported from avertical support, which in this case is pole P. Wall plate 116 isattached to pole P, and side knuckle 114 is attached to wall plate 116.

The inner end of dog bone 112 is pivotally connected to side knuckle 114by tapered bearing 122. Adjustment screw 124 controls the drag of taperbearing 122 to control the rotation of dog bone 112 with respect to sideknuckle 114.

The outer end of dog bone 112 is pivotally connected to the inner end ofdog bone 110 by tapered bearing 126. Adjustment screw 128 controls thefrictional drag produced by tapered bearing 126, and can be used to lockdog bones 112 and 110 in a fixed orientation if desired.

The outer end of dog bone 110 is pivotally connected by tapered bearing130 to side knuckle 108. Adjustment screw 132 is used to adjust drag orto lock dog bone 110 and side knuckle 108 together as desired.

Support assembly 106 is attached by screws to the side arm of sideknuckle 108.

Support 106 forms a sliding connection with mount 104. As in the firstembodiment of the present invention, the sliding connection is definedby an arc segment of a circle which has a center defining a pivot axisof display 102. The pivot axis is positioned at or very near the centerof gravity of display 102, so that display 102 is weight-balanced in thevarious tilt positions.

Mount 104 is attached by screws to the back surface of display 102.Because of the balance of weight about the virtual pivot axis defined bymount assembly 104 and support assembly 106, display 102 can be tiltedthrough a range of positions as illustrated in FIGS. 6A–6G. Display 102is stable in any of the positions, and once tilted to that position willremain in place without needing to be clamped. Mounting system 100, likemounting system 10, provides an extremely easy-to-use adjustment of tiltof a flat panel display. The user merely moves the display about thepivot axis to the desired mount of tilt, and the display will remain inthe tilted position.

FIGS. 7A–7F show mount assembly 104 and support assembly 106 in greaterdetail.

Mount assembly 104 includes arch 140 and mounting plates 142 and 144.Mounting plate 142 is attached to one end of arch 140 by a pair ofscrews, and mounting plate 144 is attached to the opposite end of arch140 by a pair of screws. Arch 140 defines an arc having as its centerthe virtual pivot axis which passes horizontally through display 102.Outer surface 146 has beveled edges 148 along its longitude andlatitude. Similarly, inner surface 150 of arch 140 has beveled edges152. Beveled edges 152 form parallel guide tracks for the slidingmovement of arch 140 with respect to support assembly 106.

Support assembly 106 includes yoke 160, dowels 162, 164, and 166, andwheels 168, 170 and 172. Each of the dowels 162, 164, 166 includes apair of wheels 168, 170, 172, respectively, for riding on beveled edgesof arch 140. Wheels 168 are mounted on opposite ends of dowel 162 toride on beveled edges 148. Wheels 170 are mounted on dowel 164 to rideon beveled edges 152. Wheels 172 are mounted on dowel 166 and ride onbeveled edges 148. Thus arch 140 is captured between the three sets ofrollers 168, 170, and 172 while permitting a sliding movement over anarch path defined by arch 140.

FIGS. 8A–8C and 9A–9B show the components of mount assembly 104 ingreater detail. FIGS. 8A–8C show arc 140, while FIGS. 9A and 9B shownmounting plate 142. Mounting plate 144 is identical to mounting plate142, and is merely inverted as shown in FIGS. 7A–7F.

FIGS. 10A–10C shown yoke 160, which has base sections 180 and 182, andside walls 184 and 186. Mounting holes 188 in base section 180 allowyoke 160 to be mounted to a connecting element such as side knuckle 108,or to be mounted directly to wall plate 116. Side walls 184 and 186include aligned slots 190 for dowel 162, aligned through holes 192 fordowel 164, and aligned through holes 194 for dowel 166.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show dowel 162, which is a ⅛ inch stainless steeldowel having one chamfered end. Dowels 164 and 166 are identical.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show one of the wheels 168 which are mounted on dowel162. Wheel 168 includes cylindrical outer end 200, tapered section 202,and central bore 204. The inner diameter of bore 204 is sized to allowwheel 168 to fit over dowel 162. The angular taper of section 202matches the angle of the beveled edges 152 of arc 140.

Both embodiments (10,100) of the present invention feature an arcuatesliding movement of a mount (14,104) with respect to a support (16,106).This defines a pivot axis about which the display (12,102) is tilted.The weight-balanced relationship of the display with respect to thepivot axis allows the display to be stable without clamping in any ofthe range of tilt angles. Thus a simple, easy-to-use tilt adjustment isprovided.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG.13A is a side view of a mounting system 300, for use with largerdisplays 302. As illustrated in FIGS. 13A and 13B, the mounting system300 again includes three major parts, mount bracket 310, support bracket312, and a set of glides 314. Multiple mount brackets 310 can be usedtogether to support larger sized displays 302 as shown in FIG. 13B. Themount bracket 310 is attached to a back surface of display 302. A frontsurface 304 of the mount bracket 310 acts as a mount plate to secure themount bracket 310 to the display 302. Support bracket 312 is preferablymounted or secured to support plate 316, which in turn is secured to awall or other support surface such as a post.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of mount bracket 310 and support bracket312. As illustrated in FIG. 14, mount bracket 310 has a pair of arcuateslots 320 in each of its first and second side walls 306 and 307 whichdefine the range of sliding motion of mount bracket 310 with respect tosupport bracket 312. Support bracket 312 preferably includes a first andsecond sidewall 317 and 318, respectively, that are held together byfastener 319 that passes through spacer 321. The support bracket 312 ispreferably positioned within the first and second sidewalls 306 and 307of the mount bracket 310, such that the first and second sidewalls 317and 306 and 318 and 307 are positioned next to each other. Each supportbracket 312 carries the glides 314 and, preferably includes two glides314 on each of the first and second sidewalls 317 and 318. The glides314 project into arc slots 320 to allow a sliding movement of mountbracket 310 with respect to support bracket 312. The path of the slidingmovement is again defined by the arc of slots 320.

As in the other embodiments, the arc defined by the slots 320 is aportion of a circle having its center defining a horizontal pivot axis322. This virtual pivot axis will pass through a center of gravity ofdisplay 302. As a result, the weight of display 302 remains balancedabout pivot axis 322, regardless of the tilt angle. Maintaining thedisplay 302 in a balanced state allows easy adjustment by a user withminimal force. Once positioned, the display 302 will remain in thatposition. FIG. 13A illustrates in phantom the range of tilt angles forthe display 302 about pivot axis 322.

Given the minimal force required to adjust the display 302, lockingmechanism 324 can be incorporated as part of mounting system 300.Locking mechanism 324 secures display 302 in place once display 302 hasbeen positioned. Locking mechanism 324 secures display 302 by securingmount bracket 310 in place with respect to support bracket 312. Whilelocking mechanism 324 is not required to maintain display 302 in place,locking mechanism 324 helps avoid the display 302 from beingre-positioned due to inadvertent contact. The user does not have tosupport or hold display 302 in place while tightening the lockingmechanism 324. When multiple mount brackets 310 are used together, thelocking mechanism 324 is preferably positioned to face outward ratherthan toward the middle of the display 302 for easy access by the user totighten the locking mechanism 324. A similar type of locking mechanismcould also be incorporated with the earlier described mounting systems10, 100.

FIG. 15 shows a broken, exploded view of the mounting system 300 on aside that includes the locking mechanism 324. FIG. 15 illustrates theinteraction of the mount 310, support bracket 312 and glide 314. In thisembodiment, the glides 314 are separate pieces with preferably twoglides 314 on each of the first and second sidewalls 317 and 318. Aswith the other glide 18, glides 314 include an outer projection 326,inner projection 328 and central flange 330. Outer projection 326projects outward through arcuate slot 320. Inner projections 328 aresimilar in shape to outer projection 326, and extend through slots 332placed in the first and second sidewalls 317 and 318 of support bracket312. The size of arcuate slots 332 generally matches the shape of innerprojections 328. Central flanges 330 are captured between opposingsidewalls 306 and 317 of mount bracket 310 and support bracket 312,respectively. Thus glides 314 are generally held in place with respectto support bracket 312 and mount bracket 310 slides back and forth alongthe path defined by arc slots 320.

The use of multiple glides 314 on each side of support bracket 312 couldsimilarly be incorporated into the embodiments described by FIGS. 1A–1F.Alternatively, the two glides 314 could be replaced by ball bearings, orany number of similar objects that can ride within the arc slots 320defined by the mount bracket 312.

Support bracket 312 includes a hook 334 at its top and a flange 336 atits bottom. The hook 334 is placed on a rail 338 at the top of thesupport plate or base 316. Once the hook 334 is secured on the rail 338,flange 336 fits beneath rail 340 at the bottom of support plate 316.Flange 336 preferably includes a threaded through hole 342 that willaccept a set screw 343 that can be secured against the bottom rail 340.Tightening the set screw will help avoid the support bracket 312, andthus the display 302, from being pulled out from the support plate 316or sliding laterally along the rails 338 and 340. Support bracket 312and support plate 316 allow the display 302 to be slid or repositionedlaterally along the rails 338 and 340 once the hook(s) 334 are placed onthe rail 338. The support plate 316 also includes a series of openings372 that allow for mounting support plate 316 to a wall. A number ofdifferent methods may be employed for mounting the support plate 316 tothe wall, including differently shaped and spaced openings.

Mount 310 includes slots 344 that provide flexibility in securingdisplay 302 to mount bracket 310. Alternate mounting techniques orpatterns could also be used to secure the display 302 to the mountbracket 310.

FIG. 15 further illustrates the locking mechanism 324. The main parts ofthe locking mechanism 324 include a square opening 350 through each ofthe parallel sidewalls 317 and 318 of support bracket 312, a bolt 352,and a knob 354, or other easy to grip device that includes a nut orthreaded insert to receive and secure bolt 352. The square opening 350is located between the pair of glides 314 found on each of the first andsecond sidewalls 317 and 318 of the support bracket 312. The bolt 352fits into the square opening 350 such that the head 356 of the bolt 352will not fit through the opening 350, but a square base 358 of the shankof the bolt 352 located next to the head will prevent the bolt fromturning during the fastening process. The bolt 352 extends through theopening 350 of the support bracket 312, and through the arc slot 320 ofthe mount bracket 310. The knob 354 fits onto and receives the threadedportion 360 of the shank of the bolt 352. When loose, the lockingmechanism 324 allows for easy adjustment of the display 302 whichremains balanced about the pivot axis 322. When tightened, the lockingmechanism 324 exerts a force on the mount bracket 310 and supportbracket 312 compressing them together and creating enough friction thatthe display 302 will not be tilted or its position altered by accidentalor incidental bumping or jarring.

A similar locking mechanism as described above in the previousembodiment can also be incorporated into the earlier embodimentsdescribed in FIGS. 1–12. An alternative embodiment of a lockingmechanism 402 is shown in FIGS. 16A–16C. In FIGS. 16A–16C, the lockingmechanism 402 includes a bolt 404 that extends through a mountingsystems 400, which includes mount bracket 406, support bracket 408 andglides 410. As in the earlier embodiments, glides 410 are carried bysupport bracket 408 and project into slots 412, which defines the pathof sliding movement. Thus glides 412 are generally held in place withrespect to support bracket 408 and mount bracket 406 slides back andforth along the path defined by arc slots 412. The bolt 404 preferablyextends through the glides 412, mount bracket 406 and support bracket408. A nut 414, preferably a wing not to simplify turning, is fastenedonto threaded shaft 416 of bolt 404. By tightening wing nut 414 ontobolt 404, mount bracket 406, support bracket 408, and glides 410 arecompressed together preventing movement of mount bracket 406 relative tosupport bracket 408. Again, locking mechanism 402 is not required tomaintain mount bracket 406 in position relative to support bracket 408,but rather is incorporated to avoid movement due to accidental orinadvertent contact.

Although the Figures show a number of embodiments, others should bementioned briefly. The mount assembly 14 as described in FIGS. 2A–2F hasslots 20, and support 16 has glides 18, which slide back and forth inslots 20. In another embodiment, the mount assembly 14 has glides 18,and the support assembly l6 is equipped with slots 20 which the glides18 rock back and forth in. In another embodiment, the glides 18 arereplaced with separate pegs or dowels, spaced apart, which fit into theslots 20 and follow the path defined by the arced slots.

As described in FIGS. 7A–7F, the arch 140 is located on the mountassembly 104. In another embodiment, the arch 140 is held in place bythe support assembly 106. In this embodiment, the yoke 160, dowels 162,164, and 166, and wheels 168, 170, and 172 are located instead on themount assembly, so that as the mount is moved through the arc defined bythe arch located on the support assembly, the display would be tiltedabout the pivot axis. In yet another embodiment, the location of thedowels is inverted, so that dowel 164 rides on beveled edges 152, anddowels 162, 166, ride on beveled edges 148.

1. A mounting system comprising: a mount having first and secondparallel sides with each side having an arc slot, wherein the mount isconfigured to attach to a back side of a flat panel display; a supporthaving a base and a support bracket, wherein the base includes a supportplate with a top rail and a bottom rail that are set forward of thesupport plate, the support bracket includes first and second parallelsides that are secured to each other, and means for engaging the top andbottom rails, such that the support bracket is mounted on the base andeach of the first and second parallel sides of the support bracket carrya glide for movement in the arc slots of the first and second parallelsides of the mount; and an arcuate sliding connection between the mountand the support to permit sliding movement of the mount with respect tothe support about an arc which defines a pivot axis about which the flatpanel display is tilted as the mount moves with respect to the support.2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the means for engaging thetop rail includes a hook for securing the support bracket to the toprail.
 3. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the hook can slidealong the top rail of the support plate to move the support bracketlaterally with respect to the support plate.
 4. The mounting system ofclaim 1, wherein the means for engaging the bottom rail includes aprotrusion for positioning below the bottom rail.
 5. The mounting systemof claim 4, wherein the means for engaging the bottom rail furtherincludes a set screw.
 6. A mounting system for supporting a device, themounting system comprising: a support having a base and a supportbracket, wherein the base includes a support plate with a top rail and abottom rail that are set forward of the support plate, the supportbracket includes first and second parallel sides that are securedtogether, and means for engaging the top and bottom rails, such that thesupport bracket is secured to the base; a mount for attachment to a backside of the device, wherein the mount has first and second parallelsides with each side having an arc slot; and a series of glides carriedby each of the first and second parallel sides of the support bracketfor movement in each of the arc slots of the first and second parallelsides of the mount, such that the mount is slidable with respect to thesupport through an arc segment of a circle whose center defines a pivotaxis about which the device is titled as the mount slides with respectto the support.
 7. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein multiplesupport brackets are secured to the base of the support to support thedevice.
 8. The mounting system of claim 6, wherein the means forengaging the top rail includes a hook for mounting the support bracketon the top rail.
 9. The mounting system of claim 8, wherein the hook canslide along the top rail of the support plate to move the supportbracket laterally with respect to the support plate.
 10. The mountingsystem of claim 6, wherein the means for engaging the bottom railincludes a protusion for positioning below the bottom rail.
 11. Themounting system of claim 10, wherein the means for engaging the bottomrail further includes a set screw.